Welcome to Laflin Borough on the Web! Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania

On behalf of all Laflin Borough Officials, we would like to extend a warm welcome to you.

We are providing this website as a service to our community and our visitors as well. If you would like anything added to this web site that would benefit our community please feel free to email us at LaflinBoro@comcast.net____________________________________________________________________________

2020 Laflin Borough Canceled Events

Due to the restrictions currently in place for the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the annual summer camp program, Memorial Day ceremony and Community-wide Yard Sale event have been canceled this year. Out of an abundance of caution and to keep in line with COVID-19 social distancing guidance, Laflin Borough Council voted to cancel the upcoming events.

_______________________________________________________________

Pennsylvania American Water Company – Proposed Water Rate Increase

The Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) filed a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to increase water rates as of June 28, 2020. If the full rate increase is approved by the PUC, the average monthly residential water bill will increase by approximately $11.88 per month. The first tier change could become effective as early as January 2021 with the second tiered rate change in January 2022.

This week every homeowner should have received a Notice of Proposed Water Rate Change from the PAWC. Additional information is provided in this mailed notice and directions on ways to respond. Laflin Borough Council and Mayor sent a letter to the PUC objecting to the proposed rate increase on behalf of the Laflin residents. Please feel free to reach out to the PAWC and/or the PUC to voice your concerns.

In the interest of public safety, Laflin Borough properties will be closed until further notice starting at 8pm Friday, March 27, 2020. Governor Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Levine expanded the ‘Stay at Home’ order to additional counties to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The list of counties now includes Luzerne County.

The walking track, basketball court, and all borough properties will be closed to encourage social distancing. The borough building remains closed to the public at this time.

Laflin Borough Building Closed to the Public during Coronavirus Emergency

The health and safety of our residents and employees is a primary concern during this coronavirus emergency. We are continuously reviewing and assessing the recommendations of state and federal authorities, and the CDC. At this time the Laflin Borough Council and Mayor have implemented protective social distancing steps to ensure the safety of everyone normally visiting our offices. The Laflin Borough building will be closed to foot traffic until the coronavirus emergency is resolved.

During this time period, all non-cash payments can be dropped-off at the front door of the municipal building in the library box return or mailed to the Laflin Borough Municipal Building at 47 Laflin Road, Laflin, PA 18702-7213. Please notate if a receipt is desired and one will be mailed back to you or you can provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope for receipt return. The municipal office can be reached at (570) 654-3323 or by email: LaflinBoro@comcast.net. Questions can be answered at the front door of the municipal building through our intercom system. The borough building is open for business but has postponed face-to-face operations.

We will keep the residents informed of any changes as the situation progresses with information provided on our website or Nextdoor Laflin. Please do not hesitate to contact the borough office during normal business hours if you have any questions or concerns. We hope that you and your family stay safe and healthy during this challenging time.

Disinfecting Wipes Harming Sewer System

With the increase usage of disinfecting wipes due to the coronavirus emergency, the public is reminded not to flush the wipes down the toilet. The disinfecting wipes, and other household cleaning products marketed as ‘sanitary disposable’ or ‘flushable’ don’t break down quickly enough to safely pass through the sewer lines. The flushed wipes cause hang-ups that lead to blockages and service line problems. All wipes should be dumped in the trash for proper disposal.

J.P. Mascaro & Sons 2020 Refuse & Recycling Calendar

Laflin Borough was awarded $9,501.00 from the state Department of Environmental Protection for the cost to procure the blue recycling containers distributed to all residents within the borough. The grant funding will help maintain the Refuse Collection fund for future garbage and recycling needs.

Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from Hugh B. Hughes & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1044 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, with the Rev. Dr. William Lewis officiating. The interment will be at Memorial Shrine Cemetery, Carverton.

Family and friends are asked to call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, at the funeral home. A Masonic service will be conducted on at 7:30 p.m. Monday evening by Masonic Lodge No. 395, F&AM.

Memorial contributions can be made to Old Friends at Cabin Creek, 483 Sandhill Rd., Greenfield Center, NY 12833.

For more information or to send the family an online condolence, please visit the funeral home website at www.hughbhughes.com.

Prominent local attorney Bruce Phillips dies

JAMES HALPIN, THE CITIZEN’S VOICE / PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 25, 2019

Bruce Phillips, a prominent solicitor and personal injury attorney, died after suffering a fatal heart attack at his home in Dallas on Thursday night. He was 62.

“Bruce was an attorney of the utmost character and integrity,” Luzerne County President Judge Richard M. Hughes III said. “He represented his clients zealously and with absolute professionalism. He was a man who had an infectious smile and was a friend to all. He will be truly missed.”

A graduate of Pennsylvania State University who earned his law degree from Duquesne University in 1982, Phillips served as solicitor for a number of municipalities, including Wilkes-Barre Twp. and Laflin. He specialized in personal injury and civil rights litigation at the firm Wetzel, Phillips, Rodgers & Falcone.

“He was never afraid to take on cases for the little guy, whether it was going to pay off or not,” said Luzerne County First Assistant District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, a longtime friend. “He just wanted to see what was right done.”

Sanguedolce said he first met Phillips in 1992 through his affiliation with other young people getting involved in politics. Phillips helped Sanguedolce throughout law school and put him in touch with former district attorney Jerry Cohen, who encouraged Sanguedolce to become a prosecutor, he said. Phillips also encouraged the current district attorney, Stefanie Salavantis, to run for office.

“He really was the one that encouraged me to do it, and really believed in me at a time when no one really knew who I was,” Salavantis said. “There are a lot of heartbroken people today, me being one of them. He means a lot to a lot of people throughout this county and all over.”

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8, Moosic, said he and his wife Marion Munley were devastated by the loss of Phillips, who was a good friend. “As lawyers, Bruce and I were in so many tough fights together, we ended up as close as two brothers,” Cartwright said.

“I’ll always remember him for his unfailing good humor, his constant loyalty to his friends, and his abiding love of truth and decency. This really hurts.”

Pennsylvania Superior Court President Judge Emeritus Correale F. Stevens, a Luzerne County native, also described Phillips as a good friend. “Bruce Phillips loved our area, our people and was a positive influence on everyone he met,” Stevens said. “We will miss his infectious optimism and kind, caring treatment of others.”

Phillips was an avid Cleveland Browns fan who attended games whenever possible — a tradition that began because his father was friends with some local residents who were on the team many years ago, Sanguedolce said. “He was always traveling around to go see his Browns play,” Salavantis said. “No matter how terrible they did, he was always very supportive and always rooting for them. He never backed down and would argue with people who would say, ‘How can you be a Browns fan?’”

Phillips was also a devoted horse-racing fan who had attended every Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Preakness Stakes since the turn of the century, Sanguedolce said. He was part owner of a racehorse, Tiz the Law, that is currently in line to appear in the 2020 Kentucky Derby. “After years of losing every single horse race he bet on,” Sanguedolce said with a laugh. “If Bruce had a tip, you knew not to bet on that horse.”

Surviving are Phillips’ wife, Margaret; father former county commissioner Jim Phillips; brother John Phillips; and sister Katharyn Elms.

Laflin Borough replaced the sold 2010 F550 this past winter with a new 2019 Diesel DEF F550 plow truck.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a non-hazardous solution, which is 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionized water. DEF is sprayed into the exhaust stream of diesel vehicles to break down dangerous NOx emissions into harmless nitrogen and water. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is an environmentally friendly solution that is used in diesel vehicles to help protect the environment.

Residents are reminded to remove vehicles from street side parking during inclement weather. Street-side parking shall not be permitted alongside any street in the borough whenever roadways have any accumulation of wintry precipitation, including, but not limited to snow, sleet or ice that requires plowing of roads or spreading of salt.

Laflin Borough Public Park Curfew and Over-Night Parking Restrictions

Laflin Borough Council approved and adopted a new public park curfew that closes both public parks at 10:00pm every night. The ordinance also prohibits over-night parking on both borough properties.

Matt D’Elia, Laflin Borough Junior Council Person receives his Associates Degree while attending High School

Matt D’Elia (17 yr.) Laflin Borough Junior Council Person received his associate degree while attending high school. He earned 60 course credits from Lackawanna College in Business Studies. He will receive his high school diploma and college diploma this spring. Matt plans on continuing his education to attain a bachelor degree and eventually a law degree to become a Judge Advocate Officer (JAG Officer) in the U.S. Air Force.

Laflin Borough delivered new recycling containers to borough residents on Thursday, 7/19/18 to be utilized in the Single-Stream Recycling program. Laflin collects recycling materials on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. The borough receives DEP performance grant money based on the tonnage recycled. Laflin received $5,641.00 in 2017 from DEP.

New and updated maps of coal mines in Pennsylvania are now available on the DEP Mine Subsidence Insurance website – www.pamsi.org – and homeowners and businesses are encouraged to check to see if they could be at risk for mine subsidence.

Due to curb replacement and new curb installation, borough residents may need to adjust the location of mailboxes to meet the specifications of the U.S. Postal Service. The distance from the curb to the face of the mailbox may need to be adjusted to allow for proper access. These specifications can be found on the Laflin Borough website
under notices at www.LaflinBoro.com.

For more information on understanding the regional approach to stormwater management as mandated by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection:

The sewer maintenance ($160.00/yr.) and trash collection ($240.00/yr.) invoices were mailed to residents on January 31st. As in past years, both statements were mailed together to reduce costs. Please contact the borough office with questions. (570) 654-3323.

Refuse Collection Fee:
$230.00 due until 3/31/2019
$240.00 if paid by 6/30/2019

Two Payment Plan Option: First Installment of $120.00 due by 3/31/2019
Second Installment of $120.00 due by 6/30/2019

Sewer Maintenance Fee:
$152.00 due until 4/30/2019
$160.00 if paid by 7/31/2019

Two Payment Plan Option: First Installment of $80.00 due by 4/30/2019
Second Installment of $80.00 due by 7/31/2019

Utilities across the country – including electric, gas, and water – continue to see scammers trying to fleece customers.

Scam artists vary their tactics but usually pretend to be your utility. They may claim you have a delinquent account and threaten to immediately shut off service if you don’t pay a certain amount by prepaid debit card. Another recent tactic was to attempt entry into your house under the pretense they are there to change a meter and then demand a payment for installation.

Don’t be fooled. The Utility companies don’t conduct business like this. There are never on-the-spot demands for money.